Motorcycle Boots

Motorcycle boots need to do more than keep your feet dry and look vaguely appropriate next to a bike. They should fit securely, provide protection around the foot and ankle, work properly with the controls and suit the type of riding you actually do.

At RaceLeathers, you can browse motorcycle boots for commuting, touring, adventure riding, sports bikes, track use and off-road riding. Our range includes tall waterproof touring boots, short motorcycle boots and riding trainers, leather racing boots, adventure boots and full motocross footwear for men and women riders.

Browse by boot type:

• Touring motorcycle boots
• Sports and racing motorcycle boots
• Off-road and motocross boots
• Men's motorcycle boots
• Women's motorcycle boots

Why Wear Proper Motorcycle Boots?

A pair of ordinary trainers may be comfortable for walking around, but they are not normally designed to resist abrasion, remain securely fastened or protect the foot and ankle during a motorcycle accident.

Purpose-built motorcycle boots can include reinforced heels and toes, ankle protection, shin plates, stronger soles, secure closures and materials tested for motorcycle use. The exact construction varies considerably, so check the individual product rather than assuming every boot carrying a motorcycle brand offers the same level of protection.

The Highway Code advises riders to wear strong boots, gloves and suitable protective clothing because they may help reduce injury in a collision. Motorcycle boots cannot prevent every possible injury, but they give your feet and ankles far more of a fighting chance than lightweight fashion footwear.

Touring Motorcycle Boots

Touring motorcycle boots are designed for riders who spend longer periods on the bike and need a practical balance of protection, weather resistance and comfort.

Most touring boots extend above the ankle, with many reaching partway up the shin. Depending on the model, they may include a waterproof membrane, side zip, hook-and-loop storm flap, reinforced gear-change area and a sole designed to provide grip both on the motorcycle and while walking.

Tall touring boots can provide greater coverage around the ankle and lower leg than short boots. They also tend to work well beneath textile motorcycle trousers, helping reduce the chance of wind and rain entering around the lower leg.

Comfort matters when a boot is being worn all day. Check the width across the foot, heel movement, ankle pressure and how easily you can operate the gear lever and rear brake. A boot can feel perfectly comfortable while standing in the shop but completely different once your foot is angled on the peg.

Waterproof Motorcycle Boots

A waterproof motorcycle boot normally uses a waterproof and breathable membrane beneath the outer material. Depending on the manufacturer, this may be Gore-Tex® or one of several brand-specific waterproof systems.

The word “waterproof” does not mean every boot performs identically. Construction around the zip, tongue, seams and upper opening all affects how the boot deals with sustained rain.

Water can also enter over the top. Waterproof motorcycle trousers should normally overlap the boot properly so that rain runs down the outside rather than straight inside. Even the finest waterproof membrane in the world cannot do much when your trouser leg is funneling water directly into it.

Waterproof boots may feel warmer and less ventilated than equivalent non-waterproof or perforated footwear. Riders who mainly go out in warm, dry conditions may prefer a vented boot, while commuters and tourers dealing with British weather will usually place greater value on weather protection.

Check the individual specification because some boots are water-resistant rather than fully waterproof, and some racing or summer boots are deliberately vented.

Short Motorcycle Boots and Riding Trainers

Short motorcycle boots and trainer-style riding shoes are popular for commuting, urban riding and shorter journeys. They are generally lighter, less restrictive and easier to walk in than tall touring or racing boots.

A proper short motorcycle boot can still include ankle protection, reinforced heels and toes, abrasion-resistant materials and a secure fastening. The shorter height mainly means there is less coverage around the shin and lower leg.

Do not assume that something is protective simply because it looks like a high-top trainer and has a motorcycle logo on the side. Check whether the complete footwear is certified for motorcycle use, what ankle protection is fitted and whether the fastening can remain securely closed.

Where laces are used, they should be held away from the gear lever, footrests, chain and other moving parts. Many motorcycle trainers include a retaining strap, covered lace section or internal fastening for that reason. Loose laces flapping around next to a motorcycle are not adding excitement in a useful way.

Sports and Racing Motorcycle Boots

Sports and racing motorcycle boots are designed for road and track riders who want a close fit, substantial ankle and shin coverage and secure integration with leather trousers or a motorcycle suit.

Depending on the model, racing boots may include:

• Rigid shin protection.
• Reinforced heels and toes.
• Internal or external ankle-bracing systems.
• Replaceable toe sliders.
• Separate zip and calf-adjustment closures.
• Ventilated or perforated construction.
• Waterproof road-riding versions.
• Replaceable soles, sliders or protective components.

Some racing boots are designed to sit outside the leather trouser leg, while certain specialist systems fit inside compatible racing suits. Check compatibility rather than assuming every sports boot and leather suit will work neatly together.

Track-day and competition rules vary. Confirm what your organiser requires before attending because a short road boot that looks sporty may not provide the height or construction demanded by the event.

Race boots are often stiffer than everyday road footwear. That additional structure may be useful on the bike but can make them less enjoyable for walking around a service station, paddock or town centre. Choose according to the riding you genuinely do rather than the riding your imagination insists you do.

Adventure Motorcycle Boots

Adventure motorcycle boots sit between conventional touring footwear and more rigid off-road boots. They are designed for riders who may use tarmac, gravel tracks and lighter off-road routes during the same journey.

Common features include a taller upper, shin coverage, adjustable buckles, substantial soles, waterproof membranes and reinforcement around the ankle, heel and toe.

Some adventure boots lean heavily towards touring comfort, while others provide greater off-road stiffness and protection. A softer boot may be easier to walk in and operate on the road, while a more rigid design can provide additional support when standing on the pegs or riding over rough ground.

Check how easily the boot fits beneath or over your motorcycle trousers and whether the buckles interfere with the bike. Wide adventure and motocross boots may also require adjustment to the gear-lever position.

Off-Road and Motocross Boots

Off-road motorcycle boots are built for motocross, enduro, trail and other riding where impacts, stones, branches, mud and awkward foot landings are part of the job.

They normally provide greater shin coverage and a more rigid structure than road-touring boots. Multiple buckle closures, replaceable components, reinforced soles and substantial plastic or composite protection are common.

That stiffness can restrict ordinary walking and may reduce the amount of delicate feel available through the controls. Riders often need time to become accustomed to operating the gear lever and rear brake in proper off-road footwear.

Not every motocross boot is waterproof. Many are designed around protection, durability and ease of cleaning rather than keeping the rider completely dry through deep water and prolonged rain. Check the individual product specification rather than assuming that a boot capable of surviving a muddy field must also contain a waterproof membrane.

Leather, Microfibre and Textile Motorcycle Boots

Motorcycle boots can be made from leather, synthetic microfibre, textile panels, rubber, plastic protection and combinations of several materials.

Leather remains widely used because it can provide durability, abrasion resistance and a comfortable fit once properly broken in. It does require suitable care and can take longer to dry after becoming saturated.

Synthetic microfibre can offer consistent thickness, lower weight, easier shaping and quicker drying. That does not make every microfibre boot automatically better than every leather one. The quality of the complete construction matters more than choosing a winner based on a single material.

Many modern boots combine a microfibre or leather main upper with textile stretch panels, moulded ankle cups, thermoplastic shin plates, rubber soles and waterproof membranes. Each part has a different job, and the complete boot should be judged on its fit, certification and intended use.

How Should Motorcycle Boots Fit?

Motorcycle boots should feel secure without crushing the foot, restricting circulation or creating painful pressure points. The correct fit depends on the shape of your foot as well as its measured length.

When trying motorcycle boots, check that:

• Your toes are not pressed against the end of the boot.
• Your heel does not lift excessively when walking.
• The boot grips the ankle securely without causing pain.
• You can move your toes without the front of the boot feeling loose.
• Zips, buckles and straps close without being forced.
• The calf fits comfortably with your intended trousers.
• You can operate the gear lever and rear brake.
• The sole provides secure contact with the footrests and ground.

Try boots with the thickness of socks you normally wear on the motorcycle. Thick winter socks can turn a correctly fitted summer boot into something resembling a medical clamp, while testing with very thin socks may leave too much space during normal use.

Leather and some synthetic materials may soften slightly as they are worn, but the boot will not suddenly become longer. Do not buy footwear that crushes your toes and rely on an ambitious breaking-in process to create the missing space.

Brand sizing varies, and two boots carrying the same numerical size may have very different widths, instep heights and toe shapes. The stated size is a starting point rather than a guarantee.

Motorcycle Boots for Men and Women Riders

Our main motorcycle boot collection includes footwear for men and women riders. Some boots are sold as unisex models, while others use different lasts and shaping around the foot, heel, ankle and calf.

Women's motorcycle boots are not simply men's boots made smaller. A women-specific design may have a narrower heel, different calf shape or adjusted overall proportions, although the exact fit varies by manufacturer.

The correct boot is whichever design fits your foot securely and works properly with your motorcycle. Browse our dedicated men's motorcycle boots and women's motorcycle boots collections to narrow down the range.

Motorcycle Boot Protection and EN 13634

Certified protective motorcycle footwear may be marked to BS EN 13634:2017, the current standard covering protective footwear for motorcycle riders on road and off-road.

The standard includes requirements and testing relating to areas such as protection, ergonomics, mechanical properties, marking and information supplied to the wearer. Several tested properties can achieve different performance levels rather than the boot receiving one simple blanket score.

Level 2 represents the more demanding requirement for the property being assessed, but higher protection may sometimes bring additional stiffness, weight or bulk. The best boot still needs to suit the intended riding and allow the rider to operate the motorcycle properly.

Certification does not mean a boot can prevent every injury. It provides useful evidence that the footwear has been tested against recognised requirements, which is considerably more meaningful than relying on phrases such as “race inspired”, “technical styling” or “looks quite sturdy”.

Check the individual product description and certification label. Different models from the same manufacturer may achieve different results or include different optional protective features.

Ankle, Heel, Toe and Shin Protection

The amount and position of protection vary according to the type of boot. Short road boots commonly concentrate on the ankle, heel and toe, while touring and racing boots extend further up the shin.

Look for secure ankle coverage on both sides of the foot, a reinforced heel area and suitable structure around the toe. Racing and off-road boots may add ankle-bracing systems intended to restrict excessive movement while still allowing enough flexibility to operate the controls.

A rigid-looking plastic panel does not tell you everything about the boot's protective performance. The outer protection, internal structure, sole, seams, fastenings and fit all need to work together.

The boot also needs to remain on the foot. Check that the closure system secures the ankle properly and cannot easily pull open or slide off when fastened.

Zips, Buckles, Laces and Closure Systems

Touring boots commonly use an inside zip covered by a hook-and-loop storm flap. This makes them relatively quick to put on while helping protect the zip from weather and damage.

Adventure and motocross boots normally use adjustable buckles. These allow the fit to be altered around the foot, ankle and calf and can accommodate different trousers or protective equipment.

Short motorcycle boots may use laces, zips, straps or dial-type fastening systems. Laces should be secured so that they cannot catch on the motorcycle.

Whatever type is used, check that you can operate it without a wrestling match and that it remains securely closed. Replace damaged laces, worn hook-and-loop panels, broken buckles or unreliable zips rather than waiting for them to fail halfway through a journey.

Motorcycle Boot Soles and Gear-Change Protection

A motorcycle boot sole needs to provide suitable grip on the motorcycle's footrests and on the ground when stopping. Touring and commuting footwear may also be designed for more comfortable walking, while racing soles tend to be thinner and more focused on control feel.

Adventure and off-road boots often use thicker, more aggressive soles for grip when standing on the pegs or walking on loose ground. The extra depth can change the position of your foot relative to the gear lever and brake pedal.

Many road boots include a reinforced area where the gear lever contacts the upper. This can reduce wear and pressure across the toes. The shape and position should still allow the foot to move cleanly beneath the lever.

Check soles regularly for splitting, separation and excessive wear. On models designed with replaceable soles or sliders, use the correct manufacturer-approved parts.

Looking After Motorcycle Boots

Cleaning and maintenance depend on the materials used. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and use products intended for leather, microfibre, textile or waterproof membranes as appropriate.

Remove mud and road dirt before it becomes permanently attached. Allow wet boots to dry naturally in a ventilated place and avoid placing them directly against a radiator, fire or other strong heat source. Extreme heat can damage leather, adhesives, waterproof membranes and moulded components.

Remove the insoles where permitted and loosely fill the boots with absorbent paper if they are very wet. Replace the paper as necessary and allow plenty of drying time.

Waterproof boots still need looking after. Cleaning the outer material and maintaining it with suitable products can help prevent it absorbing unnecessary water, even when the membrane underneath remains waterproof.

Check the soles, zips, stitching, buckles, lace retainers and hook-and-loop fastenings regularly. Damage around the closure or sole should be dealt with before the boot is relied upon again.

Motorcycle Boot Brands at RaceLeathers

RaceLeathers stocks motorcycle boots from established touring, road, racing and adventure manufacturers. Depending on current availability, the range includes Alpinestars, Dainese, Daytona, Falco, Merlin, Oxford, Richa and TCX.

Different brands use different foot shapes, widths, fastening systems and waterproof constructions. There is no single best motorcycle boot brand for every rider. Daytona may fit one person beautifully while another rider finds a TCX, Falco, Richa or Alpinestars boot suits their foot better.

Start with the type of riding, decide whether waterproofing is important, choose the level of coverage you want and then compare suitable boots that actually fit. Buying entirely by badge is an expensive way of discovering that your feet disagree with your brand loyalty.

Expert Motorcycle Boot Fitting in Darwen

Visit RaceLeathers at Britannia Mill in Darwen, Lancashire, to compare motorcycle boots from different manufacturers properly. We can help check the length, width, heel movement, ankle fit, calf closure and how the boot works with your motorcycle trousers.

Tell us what motorcycle you ride and what you use it for. A daily commuter, European tourer, track rider and motocross rider all need very different footwear, even if every one of them arrived wearing the same pair of ordinary trainers.

Browse our motorcycle boots online with free UK delivery on orders over £30, visit our Darwen shop for fitting advice, or call us on 01254 704000 if you need help before ordering.

Complete your riding kit with our motorcycle trousers, motorcycle jackets and full motorcycle clothing range.

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